NC's Electric Cooperatives Are Prepared For Winter Storm

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- North Carolina's electric cooperatives are on standby and ready to restore power as quickly as possible if outages should occur as a result of the winter storm.

"The state's electric cooperatives are carefully monitoring this winter weather system and are prepared for possible power outages," said Jane Pritchard, director of corporate communications for the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives. Power outages can occur when ice accumulates on power lines or when heavy wet snow causes tree branches to droop or break onto lines.

Because North Carolina's electric cooperatives are located in the communities they serve, restoration crews are always on-site and can begin work immediately.

Consumers should be vigilant about downed power lines. If you see a line lying on the ground, assume it is energized and deadly. Stay away and call your cooperative or 911.

Electric cooperative members are asked to call their cooperative directly if they experience a disruption in power. For a complete list of phone numbers to report outages and a list of counties served by each co-op, refer to www.ncelectriccooperatives.com.

North Carolina's electric cooperatives provide energy to 2.5 million people.